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The OP wants to build a computer. I assume that probably means a desktop. But yes, any modern CPU and motherboard should work. I imagine that you should be able to build a respectable desktop PC with a $500 budget.

And multi-band and parallel splits is something that MixBox cannot do (yet). I get the idea that IK initially kept it simple, expecting you to leverage you DAW features for complex signal routing.

Plus you can turn plugins into multiband > Turn any plugin into multiband with multiband split racks, i.e. any plugin can become multiband in the StudioRack:

Hey Larry, thanks for reminding me about that one. I hadn't looked at that since v9. It's now at v11 and is very cool! Plus thanx to your dealz, I now own enough Waves plugs to create a full rack, LOL! 😁

@DeeringAmpsSyntronik isn't really a synth. It just sounds like one. Lots of great synth samples of classic synthesizers, if you want to use them in your arrangements. But if you are more into guitar music, and the Syntronik demo doesn't inspire you, then you probably have answered your own question. Personally I find a lot of inspiration from classic progressive rock with a heavy use of synthesizers. Never played guitar, though. But the first time I heard Bach played though a Moog, I was sold! I really think the Hammond sounds great! I am not an organist, but I'm sure I will find a use for those classic Hammond sounds. Plus it is modeled, rather than sampled, so it has a modest footprint and the presets load quickly. Also I could see the MODO Bass quickly become my go-to bass instrument, simply because I can quickly select from a range of bass models, such as a P-Bass, Jazz Bass, Rick, etc. and start playing. They sound really good as far as basses go without any tweaking. I'm undecided about MODO Drums. I'm not a drummer, or a drum geek, so infinite possibilities of tweaking my kit looks like it could become a waste of time. I do like how you can quickly select different room spaces. But so far XLN Audio Addictive Drums is my main kit.

228 to go...

@KonskooSo I understand your basic requirements are: 1. One instrument, a VSTi piano, to be recorded in the box. Project files to be stored on secondary SSD drive. Good plan. 2. Two SSD drives, [C/D] Good plan. 3. Standard RAM (not overclocked). Good plan. For using VSTi you should probably install 16GB minimum. Next: CPU: This PCPartPicker site has a system builder that lets you select the CPU you want, and then guides you through selecting only compatible motherboard, RAM, etc. You can come up with a rough budget this way. https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ Since you will be recording a VSTi, will advise that you should use a reasonably fast CPU, at least a modern one in the 4.0GHz and up range. If you will be using VST plugins for mixing and/or mastering your tracks after recording, a few extra cores won't hurt. For the DAW studio, there are several more things you should consider seriously as well. If you already have these, well then never mind... Audio Interface: Audio interface? Why do I need that if I am recording in the box and I already have on-board audio? Well specifically if you are going to be playing a virtual piano, you will want a very low latency between the time you play a MIDI note on your controller and the time the VSTi plays the sound. A professional audio interface will come with ASIO drivers supplied by the manufacturer. Any respectable USB audio interface with ASIO drivers should be sufficient, as you really won't be needing any external audio inputs or pre-amps for your VSTi. But the audio driver quality is very important. Your budget will dictate what you want to spend on this. There are popular choices from FocusRite, PreSonus, Behringer, etc. in the $99-$120 price range (not recommendations, just examples). MIDI keyboard controller: For piano, probably an 88 key USB controller is most suitable. Studio monitors: You want to correctly hear your piano playing, as well as the recorded audio while editing/mixing. You can edit/mix with headphones, but starting with real monitors should make the job easier. And studio monitors will provide better frequency accuracy. Graphics card: Not really necessary for a DAW if your CPU has onboard HD graphics. You can put this money to good use for a better audio interface!

I agree. Being able to use the Syntronik rack as a standalone FX processor is something I always wished was possible. Plus you get over 600 presets including single processor and whole-chain presets.

Interesting... For those that do not already own all of the IK effects, this offers 70 processors for $149 (crossgrade), while something like T-Racks 5 Max only has 38 processors for $299 (crossgrade). I have over $50 in JamPoints in my account, of which I can only apply towards 30% of a purchase, so for me $44. that brings it down to $106. For those that already own some gear, there is this extra $50 bonus coupon:

For MIDI users, I would think this is a "must have" feature in a modern DAW. The MIDI chord detection would be instant and not ambiguous, and any MIDI tracks in the arrangement that are following changes in the chord track should follow error-free. And the chord markers should be useful for anyone adding audio tracks with an instrument and wants a visual for the upcoming chord changes.

Not seeing that here if I insert both instruments as simple instrument tracks, each has their own distinct piano roll. The notes from the drum track do not trigger the bass. I have to copy the MIDI over to the bass track to achieve that.

So did I without any major problems, but I went up from 1909. Bear in mind that not everyone's system config is the same, so YMMV. I still had a few activation issues with some 3rd party plugins and applications (the system ID changes with each Windows version number), but they were easily resolved. And the system tray icon for my audio interface always goes missing after an upgrade. But nothing a repair install for that can't fix.

The major Windows 10 feature updates are actually Windows UPGRADES. Expect to have to make some adjustments to some drivers, settings, activations, etc. afterwards. Best plan is to make a system disk image before running the update, so that you have an easy method of rolling back (just restore the image). Just in case you find too many issues and would like some more time to research them.

I purchased it way back in the day, so never noticed whether or not it ever got bundled with Sonar. That makes sense.

Yep, it was a 32-bit DX. I wonder why it was dropped, other than not being compatible with Sonar x64? The Audio FX1 and FX2 were still available in the Sonar Producer X1-X3 series. I opened up those installers yesterday out of curiosity in search of it, but no FX3.